Lahore to Taxila is roughly 310 km on the old GT Road (N-5) and closer to 390 km if you take the M-2 motorway to the Islamabad area and come back west. Map services estimate about four hours on the GT Road route in ideal conditions, but the motorway is the more predictable way to make the journey, and you should allow four and a half to five hours with a stop. Taxila lies about 30 km north-west of Islamabad, so most people treat it as part of an Islamabad trip.
Distance figures for this trip vary between sources because the two routes are so different, so read the numbers below as estimates.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Distance by GT Road (N-5) | About 310 km (map estimate) |
| Distance by motorway (M-2 then west) | About 390 km (one published figure) |
| Drive time by motorway | About 4.5 to 5 hours with a stop |
| Drive time by GT Road | About 4 hours on a map, usually longer in traffic |
| From Islamabad to Taxila | About 30 km, roughly 30 to 40 minutes |
| Train | A direct service runs from Lahore Junction to Taxila |
The two routes
By motorway. Take the M-2 from Lahore towards Islamabad. It is 375 km long, opened in 1997, and has five service areas in each direction. Near the Islamabad end, leave for Taxila by the road system west of Rawalpindi, or continue towards the M-1 (Islamabad to Peshawar motorway) and approach from the Burhan side. The motorway is faster and smoother for most of the trip, and the last stretch is short. See our guide to the Lahore to Islamabad motorway for the M-2 itself: tolls, service areas and fog.
By GT Road. The N-5 runs through Gujranwala, Gujrat, Jhelum and Rawalpindi before reaching Taxila. It is shorter on paper but passes through town centres, level crossings and heavy truck traffic. For a day-trip driver this is the more tiring route, though it has the advantage of passing several heritage sites, which our GT Road heritage sites guide describes.
For most travellers the choice is simple: motorway for speed and ease, GT Road if you plan to stop at towns and forts on the way.
How long does it really take?
Plan for about five hours each way by car. That covers the motorway drive of roughly four hours to the Islamabad area, plus 30 to 45 minutes for the last leg to Taxila and a stop.
Add time for:
- The toll plaza and a service-area break
- Traffic around Rawalpindi, which is often heavy in the late afternoon
- Fog in December and January, when sections of the M-2 can close
A same-day round trip from Lahore is possible but means nine or ten hours in the car for a few hours on the ground. It is far better to stay a night in Islamabad and visit Taxila the next morning, or to combine it with a longer trip.
Road conditions
The M-2 is a six-lane motorway that was resurfaced in 2016 and is generally fast and smooth. The local roads around Rawalpindi and Taxila are ordinary city roads: busy, with frequent stops and signals.
Fuel up in Lahore or at a motorway service area. Petrol stations are plentiful on the outskirts of Taxila and Rawalpindi.
Going by train or bus
If you would rather not drive, a direct train runs from Lahore Junction to Taxila according to map listings, taking around seven hours. Check Pakistan Railways for the current timetable before you plan around it. Buses leave for Islamabad and Rawalpindi hourly on the main operators, and from there you continue to Taxila by taxi or local transport, which adds a transfer.
One practical tip
Decide before you leave where you will sleep, and check opening days for the sites you want. The sites are spread over several kilometres, so having a car or a hired taxi in Taxila saves walking. Our how to reach Taxila post covers local transport, and places to visit in Taxila helps you plan the day. If you are planning a longer trip, see our tours.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Taxila from Lahore?
About 310 km by the GT Road and around 390 km by motorway via Islamabad, according to different map sources.
How long does it take to drive from Lahore to Taxila?
About four and a half to five hours by motorway with a stop. The GT Road can take longer in traffic despite being shorter on the map.
Is there a train from Lahore to Taxila?
Map services list a direct train from Lahore Junction to Taxila, taking about seven hours. Confirm the timetable with Pakistan Railways.
Can I visit Taxila as a day trip from Lahore?
It is possible, but the driving takes nine or ten hours round trip. Staying overnight near Islamabad is more comfortable.
